1. Running Head: MID-TERM TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT 1
Mid-Term Take Home Assignment
Angie Casey
Lindenwood University

2. Adler’s Theory 2
Adler’s Theory
After studying Freud, Jung, Adler, Cattell, and Skinner, I believe Adler’s theory of
personality is the most relatable to me as a counselor as well as a person. In learning about
Adler’s theory, I realized how much of my own worldview and theories about human beings is
similar to Adler’s views about people. While Adler’s theory involves many aspects, I have
chosen the two main parts that appeal to me the most, which include: his beliefs about how
individuals determine their lifestyle and how individuals affect the world at large.
I whole-heartedly believe that a child’s perception of reality will help form their
worldview just as Adler believed. According to Olson and Hergenhahn, “it is the child’s
perception of the major events in his or her life that determine his or her worldview, not actual
reality” (p. 102). In other words an individual’s perception of reality is the basis for constructing
their worldview and how well an individual adjusts to life. I agree with Adler that our early
memories, based on our perception of reality, help form our worldview and goals for life. I think
this theory appeals to me so much because I want to work with children and this piece of Adler’s
theory focuses on how a child’s perception of their experiences shape who they will become later
in life. My goal in working with children is to help them create a positive worldview, goals to
match their worldview, and harmony within themselves as well as in society. However, I do
want to mention that I never thought of it in those terms, Adler put my own personal theory of
working with children into clearer more concise terms. Intervening early in a child’s life and
helping them construct their positive worldview can greatly reduce the amount of psychological
problems later in life.

3. Adler’s Theory 3
I like Adler’s idea of all people living in harmony and working for the greater good of
mankind, however I do not agree with the idea of a “perfect society”. This portion of his theory
discuses three major problems individuals have in life which need to be worked out in order to
have societies best interest. Beginning with occupational tasks, societal tasks and finally love
and marriage tasks. In order to have societal harmony individuals will need to contribute to
society by working and cooperating with others as well as keep society going by procreating.
This is an ideal that I am not sure can actually be obtained in our world. Unfortunately, not all
individuals believe in this system, otherwise we would have world peace and harmony. I am not
saying we should give up on this ideal, I just think it is almost too idealistic. With that said, I
still believe in living my life this way and my goal as a counselor will to be to advocate for these
ideals in the hopes that we can work toward a more harmonized society.
Adler’s theory has also inspired me to work with young mothers and their children
because I agree that the mother-child relationship is the most important relationship and greatly
influences how a child adjusts to life. Not only would helping mothers form positive
relationships with their children be beneficial for them and their child, it would also be beneficial
for society as a whole. The children today are our future leaders, making sure children form a
positive worldview early in life will be for the betterment of our society in the future.
Adler’s theory includes much more information about an individual’s personality than I
have talked about here, however, the two parts of his theory I chose to discuss are in my opinion
the basis for why I want to work with children. I am realizing that what I truly want is a more
balanced society and working with children will be the way to do that. In my opinion, working
with children while they are in the process of constructing their worldview is of upmost
importance when thinking about having a more harmonized society. They are our future.